Overview
Pinworms are tiny white worms that infect the gut and are one of the most common worm infections in school-age children. The main symptom is itching around the bottom, especially at night, when the female worms lay eggs around the anus. The infection is harmless but spreads very easily within families and schools.
Symptoms
- Itching around the anus or vulva, worse at night
- Disturbed sleep or irritability from the itching
- Tiny thread-like white worms visible around the bottom or in stool
- Mild tummy discomfort in some children
- Restlessness at night
Causes & risk factors
- Infection with the pinworm Enterobius vermicularis
- Swallowing microscopic worm eggs, often from contaminated hands or surfaces
- Scratching the bottom and transferring eggs to the mouth or to others
- Easy spread among children in close contact
Treatment & self-care
Treatment generally involves anti-worm therapy advised by a clinician, usually for the whole household, combined with strict hand washing and laundering of bedding and clothing. A licensed clinician or pharmacist can confirm the approach and advise on preventing reinfection.
See a doctor urgently if
- Symptoms persist after treatment or keep returning
- A child under two years or a pregnant person is affected
- There is significant tummy pain, weight loss, or blood in the stool
- The skin around the bottom becomes red, broken, or infected from scratching
- You are unsure of the diagnosis